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A Fernandez and Leluu Picnic at the Henley Royal Regatta

It was a bad start. Public transport woes got me to Paddington late, and when I went to get £100 out of a cashpoint, it claimed to dispense the cash to me but decidely didn't. I rang up Lloyds to be told I'd have to file an ATM dispute claim - my word against theirs that I'd been given the money.

Ticked off beyond belief, I then flew up the platform only to see the doors to the train I wanted slam shut. I was mildly mollified though that a surprisingly low-key Henry Conway, knitting dandy scion of disgraced MP Derek Conway, and his chums had also been denied entrance so we were all in the same boat.

Talking of boats, that's why I was there, dressed in regulation-length summer frock, slippy-soled kitten-heeled shoes and ridiculous feathery fascinator - to attend the Henley Royal Regatta, what what.

Ryvita (yes, Ryvita) had invited me to a picnic at their Ryvita Crunch Cafe in the Upper Thames Enclosure. It was hosted by the wonderful Fernandez and Leluu who run a legendary supperclub somewhere in London.

Sweet treats included berries and Cointreau trifle which made me want to sing, pears poached in champagne which the London Foodie claimed were "better than sex", and some delectable lemony cakes from Violet's Curd.

And of course there was the Ryvita. I have to confess that I quite like Ryvita and have been known to eat it slathered in pate (thus defeating its main purpose somewhat).

Anyway, they've just launched a new range of Ryvita crispbreads with flavours including Cracked Black Pepper, Dark Rye, Seeds and Oats, and my favourite Sweet Onion.

That last one combined with some Donald Russell smoked salmon was A VERY GOOD THING.

In fact, the whole thing was a very good thing. The posh totty was just a bonus (although most of them were in the Mahiki Henley tent downing Treasure Chests, I dare say).

Comments

Ryvita being one of the more enduring of my various nicknames, I too have a soft spot for their crunchy crisp slices.

Sounds like a lovely day, in the main part, though hope you can get your money back. Would hope that the fault affected others before and after you and that the multiple number of complaints about one machine on one day would persuade them that you're not just trying it on.

You are FAST, girl! Wasn't that the most amazing picnic ever? It's how I imagined the Romans ate... if we're talking about the Romans in Britain. And who figured out that racing rowboats was the thing to do.

The humungous prawns, the oysters, the tuna, the samphire, the trifle, the cherries, the cheese.... such a fantastic picnic. Great (and speedy) write up. I think I was enjoying my bubbly too much to take a single snap of the rowers! Oops.

Damn those prawns are big - bet they were tasty. Not only am I suffering from cheese envy, but am now also suffering from a more general picnic envy. The Sashimi looks great and I bet the samphire was good too. And then eating it all outside by the river. Wow, that sort of setting makes food taste twice as good.

Sooo sorry about the ATM thing but should work itself out! Hope the nice food all made up for it! It was so lovely to meet you finally. I can't forget the taste of those oysters (I think we both slurped a few - he he)

Simon Fernandez is now full time chef patron at ferdiesfoodlab and employs 8 people on a part-time basis. ferdiesfoodlab (a London supper club) is a social banquet where you can meet new people. It serves international cuisine in the east end of central London at the beautiful listed building Toynbee Hall. You can check it out at ferdiesfoodlab.co.uk